The 2023/24 season was one of new beginnings with two new coaches,
Jackson Doolan and Joel Bevilacqua, joining the club. Jackson and Joel
implemented a new, high-intensity and professional training program for the
board and ski respectively.
In the lead up to the Sydney Branch Carnival, NSW State Carnival and Australian
Surf Life Saving Championships, Team Bondi competed in several of the Summer
of Surf Events, including Manly, Freshwater and North Bondi. The competition at
these carnivals was fierce, yet Bondi (or ‘Normal Bondi’ as we were affectionately
dubbed by the beach commentators) punched well above our weight.
Amy ‘The Notorious’ O’Brien was a standout on the craft at these events,
making the final at both Freshwater and North Bondi. She also beat multiple
Nutri-Grain Ironwoman to finish 8th in the board final at Freshwater.
It seemed fitting that our best and most exciting results at the NSW State
Carnival and Australian Surf Life Saving Championships all came on the
double ski. The double ski encapsulates everything the new board and
ski program stands for working hard, going fast, doing it together…and
occasionally getting obliterated in big surf.
At the Australian Masters Championships, Julie Pritchard and Laura Thurtell
claimed Gold in the 50-54 age group. Julie trained the house down all summer
on the ski and dedicated the win to Louise Santos. At the NSW State Carnival,
Amy O’Brien and Annabelle Paterson were in the mix for the medals before
finishing a close seventh. At the Open Australian Surf Life Saving Championships,
Noah Kaplan and Annabelle, with just four years of paddling experience
between them, made an incredible recovery after copping a heavy set on the
head to make the semi-final in the mixed double. Annabelle also made the semi-
final in the ski and narrowly missed the semi-final for the Ironwoman.
In the Ironman sphere, Simon Nothling reaped the benefits of the gruelling
Saturday morning iron sessions, having a season to remember. In an incredible
comeback and display of surf skills and knowledge, he beat the much younger
favourite to claim the Sydney Branch Open Ironman Championship and then
went on to finish a narrow second in an electric sprint finish at the Australian
Championships.
Special notes must go to coach Jackson Doolan who wound back the clock to
make the quarter-final in the board race – on the same board he paddled at the
last Australian Surf Life Saving Championships he raced at, eleven years ago
and to Courtney Date, who in the same Ironman final won by Simon at Sydney
Branch Carnival, snapped his ski clean in half on the last wave to finish third.
Bondi continues to dominate in the Masters. As for the Opens, we’re back.
COACHES
REPORT
55
117TH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2023/24